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MITSUNE ŌSHI-KŌCHI

ŌSHI-KŌCHI NO MITSUNE

IT was a white chrysanthemum I came to take away; But, which are coloured, which are white, I'm half afraid to say, So thick the frost to-day!

Mitsune lived some time in the beginning of the tenth century, and was one of the compilers of Odes Ancient and Modern (the Kokinshiu). The illustration shows him with a boy in attendance, trying to make up his mind which flower he will pick.